642 as BUG or Only Carry

[frjeff]

I am waiting my CHL here in TX and have a Kahr P9 9mm which I got to be my primary carry gun.

However, I love the 642, so pickked up a no-lock yesterday.

Now I am wondering: Do most folks here carry something like the 642 as their BUG or as an oly carry gun?

I'm thinking carrying two may be overkill but not sure which would make the better carry weapon if I only carry one or the other.

Thoughts?

 

[OKFC05]

Once you get to actually carrying, you'll sort it all out. It depends on your individual circumstances and preferences.
A 442/642 is what gets stuffed in my pocket on those quick trips where I would not otherwise carry anything. They are very popular.

 

[indiandave]

I regularly carry a 642. easy to conceal. Loaded with Buffalo Bore 158gr lswchp's I have confidence in the little gun.

 

[WC145]

My 9mm 360J is my BUG when I'm on duty and has replaced my Kahr CW9 as my off duty gun. I don't miss the Kahr at all and I don't feel undergunned with the j-frame. I used to carry the Kahr with a 7rd mag in it (+1) and an 8rd spare, with the 360 I carry two spare moonclips so I'm only down 1rd compared to the Kahr. Plus, when I qualified a few weeks ago the Kahr had some "issues" but the 360 functioned perfectly and I shot better with it, too.

If I feel the need to back up the 360 when I'm off duty I have a Kel-tec P3AT that I'll drop in a pocket.

 

[David Sinko]

I almost always carry one of my three 625s when I'm out and about. But lately I've been doing a lot of work with my 940. I am starting to realize that I can not fault the 940. Yeah, it's only a 9mm, but 124 gr. bullets at 1160 FPS from a 2" barrel is nothing to sneeze at, and at conversation distance I can shoot it just as fast (or even faster) than I can the full size 625, without losing any accuracy. I am starting to prefer the 9mm over the .38 Special because the moonclips are more robust (thicker) and will not bend when carried in a pocket. I am also starting to realize that there may be times when I need more than five rounds even with good hits. My Model 60 is a beautiful revolver and a true work of art, but when I need a little brute to serve as a primary gun I find myself reaching for the 940 and having no regrets.

Also I find that the thicker barrel of my 940 points better and is slightly easier to control. If I'm not mistaken, the 642 is a similarly configured revolver though not as heavy? With good loads it will be more powerful than the 9mm but I find that carrying spare reloads of .38 Special can be problematic when wearing lots of clothing. I'll take a full size revolver every time but I will not criticize anybody with a J Frame who can shoot it well.

Dave Sinko

 

[GatorFarmer]

It's a split. Some people carry only a J frame, others only carry a J frame as a BUG. I fall into the second category under the "if I need a gun, then I really need a gun" theory.

J frames are limited in capacity and harder to shoot well owing to their size and abbreviated sight radius.

Were it me, I'm stick the 642 in one pocket, the Kahr in another... and then purchase a mid size or full size auto for IWB or OWB carry.

 

[BSkerj]

During the day I carry my 642 due to the fact I am around the public and want a deep concealed weapon. Also I am a avid bike rider and trail runner and it fits nicely in a back pocket of my riding jersey or in my hydration pack. When at home I exchange it for my 645 auto. The auto gives me a little more peace of mind when more bad guys are out.
I live in a rural neighborhood. Last Fall a young H.S. girl who was house sitting was viciously murdered by two of her classmates who were supposedly her friends two doors down. Before they slaughtered her they were walking up and down the street breaking into cars. My property was untouched but then and there I decided to always have at least my .45 on me when at home. This easily could have been my wife and /or daughter. Sorry I digressed a little from the original question..just wanted to give you an example of the different reasons why circumstances can dictate what you carry.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, around town, if I feel like there's a remote possibility I might need a gun, I take a J-frame .38.

If I'm feeling a little nervous, I take a .45 auto.

If I'm feeling really nervous, I stay at home, where the rifles are.

JMHO, FWIW.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Both, primary & BUG. It seems to depend on what each person thinks.

For myself, the J frame is just too handy not to have one with me. It does well for me as a second gun, and as primary when it is the only pistol I can carry.

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by frjeff:
Now I am wondering: Do most folks here carry something like the 642 as their BUG or as an oly carry gun?

I'm thinking carrying two may be overkill but not sure which would make the better carry weapon if I only carry one or the other.

Thoughts?

You can do what most gun carriers do, or you can do what many reknowned and experienced gunfighters (Jim Cirillo, Bill Allard, Evan Marshall, Lance Thomas and Keith Jones are just a few from modern times who immediately come to mind) do, and carry more than one gun. When someone is trying to kill you, there is no such thing as overkill. If I needed to shoot a perp and solved the problem with the first gun, then the second gun is simply ammo I wound up not needing. A second gun may become necessary if the first gun fails for whatever reason, whether it's empty, damaged by gunfire, or for whatever reason fails mechanically. Normally I carry a J frame in my weakside front pocket. This gives me access to a gun with my weak hand if my strong hand is tied up in a fight, or injured. It also gives me the option of drawing it if my big belt gun, (which I wear at 3:30/strongside) is still loaded and in the fight, whether I want to pass it off to someone else, or get it ready to use while behind cover because the main gun is nearly empty. There are times when a situation is developing where putting one's hand in the pocket will allow you to begin your draw while looking as nonchalant as your typical oblivious to the world person. I do so fairly often while pumping gas. The big belt gun is the one I would rather get into action first due to it's much greater power, shootability and accuracy, but sometimes tactics dictate that the small gun in the pocket will be the primary and the big gun will in fact become the BUG. For most people a New York reload (second loaded gun) is the fastest reload.

 

[Hikertrash98]

I carry a M&P 340 as a BUG while on duty and it's the only gun I carry off duty. There's no reason NOT to carry it.

 

[David Sinko]

While there are very good reasons for carrying a second gun, I do not see how reaching for it when the primary is empty can be one of them. I can reload my 625 with moonclips faster than I can grab my J Frame no matter where the smaller gun is hidden on me. And good, experienced shooters with autos can reload quite a bit faster. Can it be that the gunfighters of times past were reloading with HKS speedloaders or even dump pouches? In that case, the second gun is certainly a quicker "reload." Abandoning the primary gun so quickly in the fight because it's empty (or in the case of the revolver, nearly empty) has never appealed to me.

Dave Sinko

 

[flop-shank]

In my case I have no doubt I can get the BUG into action faster, Dave, especially if my fine motor skills are on the fritz from lots of adrenalin. YMMV. Good food for thought though.

 

[David Sinko]

This is good food for thought. It makes me want to take my shot timer and two best large and small frame revolvers to the range and try. If I carried my 940 on the belt in a cross draw holster opposite my 625 I just might be able to beat a reload with my 625. There's no way I'd be able to get a J Frame out of my pants pocket in time and I have never owned or used an ankle holster. In the next week or two I'll have some free time and I think I'll give this a try and record my results.

Dave Sinko

 

[jeep]

Being a average citizen on the street and not on a swat team or or drug raid the J-frame is more than enough to defend yourself with. 24/7 the 642 will protect you. The big shoot-um-up from Hollywood with mega shooter bottom feeders and 5 mag changes is just good movie sellers. Of course the 642 is all you hope you never have to use and most likely will never use. And if you do it will save your bacon. When I go to the inner city I up the fire power to a SW M-19 2.5" 0r 686 2.5". And allways carry one or two reloads. All you will ever need and nothing you don,t. I use the 642-1 9 out ten times for ccw and house pistol defender. IF things look like a turn for real bad trouble its hello Mr. riot 12ga.pump and his little friends OO buck.

 

[Bobwtn]

I say Ditto to what Jeep said. 642 and the other 5 shot smiths are just fine for most of us. I would suggest getting a few speed loaders of some version. Keep one or two in car, one or two by the bed, etc. I was a cop 9 yrs, have carried again for the past 12 yrs, seldom ever been anywhere too bad. I had rental property and twice called cops about someone going into an empty unit, I helped cops catch the guys twice, no biggie for me. Lot of cops from 70's carried 6 shooters, many only carried one. I always carried my 6 shot on belt and I had a stainless Mod. 60 .38 in front pocket while on duty too. I had my speed loaders for reloads on belt. I was out there looking for bad guys then, now I just talk to people about their problems each day, or as some would say, I put out the Psychobabel. In my present job and my community, I am cool with 5 shots. Find a pistol or revolver that feels good in your hand, shoot it til you feel confident and consider you now have a little extra edge in life.

 

[crofoot629]

Well dang you almost made it!

Imho either the kahr PM9 or a lighter weight J-frame gives up little to your larger heavier choices.
I find the PM9 very easy to shoot well and much more gun then a J-frame and you might just be able to do it all with a PM9 rather than your two other choices.

Back to your original question I rarely carry just a J-frame (442). Today I carried a Glock 23 under an untucked t-shirt and for the limited scrutiny I received at the grocery store that was concealed enough. I think the point of benefit to diminishing returns ratio of the P9 to the PM9 favors the PM9. Likewise I generally prefer bigger guns like the aforementioned G23 or 1911 for me and see J frames and mini's like the PM9 as in a smaller class.

Emory

 

[jeep]

Yes the speed strips a few extra in the car and bedroom. And allways carry a reload or two. I keep 38+P in the speed strips so it can feed the 38 or 357 mags K-L frame snubbys,but in the K-frame and L-frame HKS loaders 357 mag WW145 silvertips. The close combat and contact distances of ccw up in your face and real close the J-frame shines at contact distances of real world CCW shootings. Yes what did we do without autos and endless feed bottom feeders back in the day. Just think the secret service used k-frame snubbys into the early 1980,s and Detectives used snubbys for there primary service weapon. Beware of the man with the SW j-frame for he knows how to use it.

 

[flop-shank]

I took a class with Evan Marshall two years ago. He got in a gunfight while armed with a single J frame. He vowed never again. He could have grabbed a Browning Hi-power on the way out the door but opted for the convenient J frame.

 

[jeep]

He still is alive and What was the real story and how did it happen in the Detroit zoo.Was he still L.E. or retired ccw. In the inner city jungle two snubbys makes better sense than one hangun. A fight stopper 357 mag snub and j-frame bug With 4 reloads. I tend to stay out of those areas thats comman sense.